What’s Right With Our Schools: Hixson JROTC
HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Air Force Junior ROTC is celebrating 50 years at Hixson High School. That’s five decades of students learning priceless lessons in citizenship and serving others, and that’s a patriotic example of what’s right with our schools.
Doug Burhans is the Master Seargeant for Hixson JROTC TN 081.
He explained, “This is our 50th Anniversary as a junior ROTC unit here in Tennessee. We were established in 1973-74 school year, and here we are at our 50th Anniversary. This is the 11th year here and it’s just been a phenomenal um program to get our students into, get them involved in being citizens. It has nothing to do with being in the military. It’s all about becoming a good citizen and serving others. Because ultimately that’s why we walk this Earth is to serve others. And us being here for 50 years is very rare. There are not very many founding units in the world for Air Force Junior ROTC. And we happen to be one of them. And I’d like to consider us one of the best in the country in the world.”
Hannah Parker is the Cadet Lt Colonel for Hixson JROTC.
“There’s so many words that could go into it. For me it’s being part of a team which he said multiple times. And being able to celebrate being unified together through all the different jobs, and all the different kinds of people, there are we all come together today for the celebration of being one,” said Parker.
Greg Martin represents District 26 in the Tennessee State House.
Martin told the cadets, “You made a great choice in getting involved in JTC, hard work dedication and loyalty. These kids like to succeed.”
Burhans added, “Celebrating is great you know and like I said before you know all the individual awards are great. But it’s being a part of a team and watching them come together and celebrate as a team. That’s what’s important when somebody earns an individual award. The whole team is happy for them. Because they know that they were part of that too. And then and they are and that’s where our individual our individualism comes out to where we got to thank our teammates for the stuff that they do for us.”
William Siss is the Senior Master Seargeant for Hixson JROTC.
“Going through my mind was just knowing every single one of the people that were called up and knowing that every single person who got that award deserve that award,” Siss said.
Burhans concluded, “These kids are absolutely phenomenal, and I love them to death they’re like my own sons and daughters. And like I say, I’ve been here 11 years and I still have fun every day. And I, I enjoy coming in here. And I enjoy seeing these Cadets. So, I mean I, I love them to death. And I love this program and I love this school.”
